Words: Gareth O’Malley

‘The flaws in this world take their toll on all of us’. That’s what the band themselves said on one of ‘Achieving Vagueness”s highlights, ‘Sixteen’. It’s fitting, then, that The Flaws’ second album, ‘Constant Adventure’, should take this sentence and run with it, forming the backbone of the record’s lyrical content.

As Ireland slides deeper into a depression the likes of which we never even thought could happen - and with worse still to come - the Dublin/Monaghan quartet have created an album that mirrors the prevailing mood of our times: pessimism mixed with a kind of resignation that it’s hard not to be affected by.

Crucially, though, this is only reflected in the lyrics. Even if frontman Paul Finn brings up the subject of emigration on ‘Make Good’ (‘Who shut the only door that leads wanderers towards an eastern shore? / Move back, we’re kicking it in’) and raises the issue of emotional trauma on ‘A Falling Out’ (‘The closest that I ever got to another open mouth / And now I just peel apart’), the music that he helps create, along with Dane McMahon, Shane Malone and Colin Berrill couldn’t be more of a contrast.

The moodiness that ran through their 2007 debut has been traded for an altogether more widescreen sound that suits them very well indeed. The title track and ‘In Libraries’, in particular, are cut from the same cloth as Snow Patrol’s more anthemic moments - and should have them shaking in their boots, because it’s clear that The Flaws have their heart set on similar success.

Single ‘Part of You’ is another highlight. Whilst it is of course nothing groundbreaking, it’s massive-chorus indie rock done so well that listeners can’t help but sit up and take notice. The standout track, however, is ‘Eastern Shore’. It impressed when premiered live last year, but the recorded version is in another league altogether. Boasting one of the strongest performances to date from drummer Berrill (his snare work near the song’s end is particularly worthy of note), it finds the band in fine form.

Things take a turn for the mid-tempo with the laid-back piano and rolling percussion of ‘The Stretch of the Evening’, a track which pairs off quite nicely with ‘Keep It Upstairs’, before the changing time signatures and driving guitars of penultimate track ‘Quit Holding Your Breath’ recall the highly-charged album opening.

The six-minute closer ‘Comfort Quilts’ allows the quartet to sign off in style. A slow-burner that builds to a fine finish, it’s proof (as though any more were needed) that ‘Constant Adventure’ was worth the wait. Bigger, bolder and striking out into previously unchartered waters, The Flaws are back with quite the considerable bang.

8.4

Audiovisuals: Part of You